Vuelta 2021 Favourites stage 15: Attackers in long race for climbers

The first phase of the race is not very remarkable and then the riders enter the Alto de La Centenera. The 15.1 kilometres climb at 5.5% is succeeded by the Puerto de Pedro Bernardo – 9 kilometres at 4.2% – and shortly after the descent the longest climb of the entire Vuelta appears. The Puerto Mijares climbs for 20.4 kilometres at an average gradient of 5.4%.

That’s three big ascents inside 100 kilometres and there are still almost 40 kilometres remaining. Most of it goes downhill before the Puerto San Juan de Nava marks the last climb of the day. The 8.6 kilometres ascent at 3.8% peaks out 5 kilometres before the line. Most of it goes downhill, although at moderate gradients.

Given the not very demanding finale it’s obvious that GC riders will take it easy. After all, it will be hard to open up time gaps. This paves they way for the breakaway to fight for the stage honours.

Favourites 15th stage 2021 Vuelta a España

*** Romain Bardet, Sergio Henao, Michael Storer, Jay Vine, Tom Pidcock
** Pavel Sivakov, Jan Polanc, Kenny Elissonde, Clément Champoussin, Matthew Holmes
* Ion Izagirre, Lawson Craddock, Jesús Herrada, Gianluca Brambilla, Andreas Kron

Another interesting read: route 15th stage of the 2021 Vuelta.